Q & A with Genaro “Chicanito” Hernandez

Former two time world champion Genaro “Chicanito” Hernandez recently took time out of his hectic schedule to speak with us at 15rounds.com. Hernandez now 43, won the WBA and later the WBC 130 titles in a career that spanned from 1984 to1998 which saw him lose just twice against the then up and coming ring legend Oscar De La Hoya & finally in his final fight to the precautious talent of Floyd Mayweather Jnr. The popular Californian native finished his career with an impressive 38-2-1(17) while he lost to two of Boxing’s biggest superstars of the last 20 years he has won his toughest fight. This one didn’t take place in the ring however it took place in his personal life when recently he battled a rare form of cancer and scored an impressive victory. Here’s what Chicanito had to say about the illness and many other things.

Hello Genaro, welcome to 15rounds.com

Hi everyone at 15rounds.com. Thank you for taking the time to interview me.

Anson Wainwright - Firstly i’m sure everyone would like me to ask how your feeling at the moment? As not so long ago you were diagnosed with a rare form or cancer?

As we speak, I’m feeling very good only because it’s been a month ago since I’ve gotten chemo put into my body. Your right about it being diagnosed not long ago, but when you’re going through this, it seems like it’s been a long time due to the affects it takes on the body. I was diagnosed with a cancer that is rarely found on adults called “RhabdoMyoSarcoma”. It is a Cancer that hits the soft tissue (muscle).

Anson Wainwright - What can you tell us about this?

The first time the Dr. explained the Cancer to me, I was in shock. I couldn’t believe that after retiring from boxing I would come across my biggest and hardest fight yet. This Cancer is very aggressive and it attacks the muscle and soft tissues in the body. Can you imagine, I had a tumor growing in my right sinus on the right side of my forehead without even knowing about it.

Anson Wainwright - Incredibly you have been retired from Boxing for nearly 11 years now. But you are still involved in Boxing, what sort of things do you now do?

Time has really passed by very quickly, retired now in October for 11 years, Wow! Yes I am still trying to stay involved with boxing “Thanks” to HBO and TopRank for using me as a Spanish and English commentator for their PPV Fights. I also have had the opportunity to work as a conditioning coach for my brothers fighters Urbano Antillon and Nestor Rocha, both fighters will be fighting for World Titles next month and this illness is keeping me away from trying to help these fighters get into great shape. I know they are in good hands with my brothers Victor and Joe Hernandez who are now working with them early in the morning.

Anson Wainwright - You had a wonderful career in which you won 2 world titles. How do you look back on your career several years on?

You know something, I don’t look back because it hurts knowing I had 2 losses to 2 ex-Olympians that with all due respect if I would have been at 100%, maybe I would’ve had only 1 loss and that might’ve been against Floyd Mayweather.

Anson Wainwright - You only lost twice both being against future hall of famers Oscar De La Hoya & Floyd Mayweather. Did you feel when you fought both of them that they were going to be as good as they turned out to be?

To be honest with you, I didn’t think Oscar was going to become the fighter that he was. Floyd, I thought would give any fighter trouble because he fights with intelligence and we all know most of the time intelligence fighter will defeat a fighter who fights only on strength.

Anson Wainwright - Who would you say was the better of the two from your experience having fought them?

To be honest with you, Floyd Mayweather because of his handspeed and his intelligence.

Anson Wainwright - You beat several very good fighters including the brilliant Azumah Nelson, Jorge Paez & Raul Perez. Who would you say was your best win and why?

Of course with all due respect to these other good ex-champions beating Azumah Nelson would have to be my best win due that it cleared people’s minds from calling me a quitter against Oscar and also making me a 2x World Champion.

Anson Wainwright - What is your greatest boxing memory?

Meeting The Great Muhammad Ali and sparring with the Mexican Idol Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. while he was in his prime.

Anson Wainwright - What fighters do you enjoy watching now?

I like to watch fighters like Kelly Pavlik, JuanManuel Marquez and his brother Rafael Marquez, Israel Vasquez, Manny Pacquaio, Urbano Antillon, just to name a few.

Anson Wainwright - Finally do you have a message for all your fans?

To all of the people who have supported me during my boxing career and are wishing the best for my family and I, “Thank You” from the bottom of my heart. Without your support, I don’t think I would be feeling the way I have been, and that is to continue to be strong minded with the will to continue fighting this illness. Special “Thanks” to my family Teiken Promotions and TopRank for always being there during my boxing career and now as a regular human being!

Thanks Chicanito, best wishes for the future.

Once again “Thank You” for taking the time to interview me. Best Wishes Always your friend Chicanito Hernandez.

Anson Wainwright
15rounds.com